Night fell and Minako remained inside the room the whole day, Theo was still sleeping. He was sure tired. She did not know when will the members would show up, so she kept the cloak and hood on, the baggy hood hid her face well. Only giving a sight to her mouth and chin.
"Good Evening ..." She heard a voice from behind, it startled her a bit. Takaya grinned, with him a red haired girl wearing a white gothic-styled dress, a smart looking teen with blue hair and thick rimmed glasses, their eyes full of scrutiny . She felt a pang of fear when she saw them. It was the first time she ever did this. Through all those repeated years. This was the first.
"What are you doing here ?" The blue haired teen asked forcefully, his voice loud enough to wake Theo. His eyes glowed yellow as his gaze landed on his Mistress and the group.
"You friend there ... Both of you seems to be special" Takaya mused, walking towards her. She felt a chill down her spine. She has too keep her cool or else.
"Everyone is special" She replied without a hint of hesitation, feeling a bit of courage run through her veins she needs to hide her fear. Saying the phrase in a manner of fact. He caught a glimpse of Takaya's surprised face. "I don't know you ... you don't know me ... how about we help each other first by knowing who's who." She surprised herself on how odd she sounded. She sounded just like her brother though, that bothered her a bit.
Theo noticed her distress, he stood and walked by his Mistress. "Him I know" The blue hair scowled. "He told us his name is Theodore... " Minako snickered, she somehow sensed the disgusted look on Theo as the boy called out his name. He hid it perfectly well putting up a expressionless face.
"You didn't give them the privilege of calling you Theo ?" She whispered with a grin.
"No." Theo said flatly.
"Well, then... please allow me to introduce ourselves. My name is Takaya. This is Jin, the girl over there is Chidori." Takaya pointed at each one of them. That maniacal look still plastered on his face, Minako does not know what he truly felt. He was always ... smiling like that. Chidori kept looking at her with her expressionless.
"Pleasure to meet you ..." She bowed, hiding her nervousness, she needs to keep it together, carefully lowering her hood to her face. Following her gesture Theo bowed himself.
"My name is Nyx" she stood. "And we want to offer you our assistance." Theo was a bit surprised, she shared a glance to him. No explanation was given. Even after the introduction was finished. Takaya did not hesitate to keep her. That alone made him worry, The conversation ended when the group left the room. He was not sure what she is planning, either way he is still bound to help her. Velvet Guest or Not.
Minato was dead tired. He did not sleep well, Last night. He kept his mind on his sister. He was greeted with both equally tired faces of Yu and Yosuke. They did not sleep either, the fact that Minako was gone on her own and was hospitalized by doing so bothered them. That was not a nice thing to dream about. They were at the dormitory lounge. Ready for school. Minato and the others went on their separate ways. Yu heard bunch of girls talking to each other, louder than her whispers.
"Hey Did'ya hear ?" Whispered a pigtailed girl. "The New Girl She went missing !"
"What Girl ?" The other girl questioned.
"You know that girl that used to live in Mitsuru- senpai's dorm !"
"Oh that Girl, the one that was supposed to be assigned in 2-F ! Didn't she got hospitalized ? "
"Yeah, I heard that too... say I think I saw her once behind the port Island station "
"Really ?! Wait, how'd you know that ! Did you go behind the alley ?!"
"Wh-what ?! N-No Way ! I just saw her go in there ! That's all "
"Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight"
They're talking about Minako. No doubt about it. He couldn't help but feel annoyed on such blabber mouths. How could they spread things like that. But, this was could provide a clue to where Minako's whereabouts. It's seems farfetched cause he achieved it by momentarily eavesdropping. By the end of the day, they were told to meet on the Fourth Floor, being part of the SEES and all, there was no room for conversations about it. Minato and his family was, after all, part of the Kirijo Group. It wasn't unexpected that Mitsuru voted Minato as the leader.
They were introducing a new member, Junpei Iori. He went on the same class with Yukari and was supposed to be Minako's classmate.
"He seems to be trusted enough..." Minato said. Yu being the only one to hear it chuckled.
"Exact carbon copy of Yosuke ..." Minato winced at the unavoidable fact. Though it would be nice to have 2 jokers in the same group.
"I found some information that you may want to hear ..." Yu whispered.
"Pray tell. " Minato replied. He was not sure if this will bring good or bad nights for him.
"It's only a rumour, so I'm not sure if it's close to truth."
"Lay it on me..."
"A bunch of girls were talking, the main topic is about your sister..."
"You sure ?"
"Yes, The girl, they were talking about supposedly was assigned to 2-F, Rumoured to be hanging out behind some place called Port Island Station. I'm guessing it's an alley. For ... " he paused. He took a glance over Minato he was sitting expressionless on his chair, his face partially covered by his hair. "Thugs and Druggers"
Yu heard a loud tch'. And his knuckled crackled. The atmosphere between them became unbearable. A dark aura was emitting from him. Akihiko seemed to notice giving a questioning glance towards Yu. He shrugged.
"Alright ... Enough with the Introductions. I think it's time for us to go"
"Go ? Go where ?" Junpei asked.
"Tartorus" Mitsuru said, smiling.
"Tartorus ? What's that ? Sounds like toothpaste" Junpei commented, Yu and Yosuke have already heard of this Tartorus, but never really seen it. Minato was well is well aware of this tower. It's been the main topic of the groups' secret organization of the Kirijo. Apparently , he secretly blamed them for every stress he was put through.
"You mean You never seen it ?" Yukari asked, half surprised. Minato stood . "I would like to see this Tartorus ... It's been a stress in my bones to hear it at every conversation during those meetings. " he chuckled. The joke did not land very well, he earned uneasy smiles than laughter. Mitsuru seemed distressed for some reasons.
"Very well..." Mitsuru said, "Let's meet up at the school gate 10 minutes before Midnight. "
The night was still young. Recalling the things she have discovered about STREGA was mostly Jin's secret website. A assassination order they receive about 5 request a day. And the price was high. But was it really enough ?, taking someone's life in a whim of anger, frightening or torturing the people you don't find appealing. She can't see the content their customers. The messages of the orders were brutal, filled with all kinds of negative thoughts. Anger, Jealousy, Hate, Denial. You name it. Everyone seems so desperate to remove the ones they hate. Deep inside, she envy those who receives death. Somehow. She could not remember why though.
The customers profile were told in secret, no less than the name of the victim and the place where they would receive their reward. Takaya and Jin were out doing the request. Theo set out to get some food. She was left with the silent red-head girl, Chidori. A heavy silence loomed over them, she was getting uncomfortable, she seems to dodge every question or conversation attempts with short replies.
She hated that.
Until.
"You say your name is Nyx." Chidori spoke in a soft voice, she continued to look at the floor. Like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Nyx gave her a glance. "Correct" she replied.
"Medea says otherwise..." Chidori answered.
A surge of minor panic threatens to show, thankful enough by the cloak she was wearing, she called her senses and tried to calm her nerves. Dodging the question will only raise suspensions.
"I am who I said I am, and I am Nyx ... Pray tell who is this 'Medea' " Her whole reply was a lie, she knows who Medea is. And she's not entirely Nyx. Hoping her reply would lead to a conversation and to minor the suspicion . Chidori fell silent. Nyx waited for a reply.
"Medea does not trust you ... but she fears you ..." Chidori looked turned to Nyx her eyes reflected her . Deep inside, she saw Medea's figure it rests and she could feel her uneasiness. "Medea is my friend... she harbours my pain. " Chidori continued almost in a whisper. Nyx somehow understood Medea's wish to be set free. The persona somehow told Nyx she was trapped . Trapped How could she be trap ? More importantly how did she understand Medea ? The call from another persona made her silent. Chidori turned to the floor again. Nyx finds it hard to believe to what just happened. She could hear her personas before and it was a normal effect. Though she can only hear hers and hers only, somehow she managed to hear Medea's cry. She thought about consulting this to Theo later when he returns.
"It's strange ... " Chidori spoke again. Nyx glanced at her, waiting for her to say something again. She watched her back as the other girl stood and took her drawing pad. She sat again and begun to scribble and sketch, the sound of the material moving swiftly on the texture of the paper. Chidori repeated a few strokes on one side as if she was filling details.
"What strange ?" Nyx asked, tilting her head to one side. The door opened gently and Jin came in followed by Takaya and Theo. When Theo laid his eyes on his Mistress, He felt a surge of relief wave over his stressed face.
"Did they annoy you Theo ?" Nyx whispered in a mocking manner.
"Not at all Mistress." Theo denied. Smiling. "I simply do not wish to abide myself with their company." Nyx chuckled, since when did Theo became so hostile. Through this repeated years. Theo to her remained relax. Well, Until she confers Igor about doing things on her own without the contract's guide or the key to the velvet room.
"Here ." Jin tossed a small satchel towards Nyx, catching it by her hand. She gave him a questioning glance. "You're share, consider it your last. Tomorrow's request will be yours to take aim."
Under her hood, they could not see the fear and disbelief in her face. Tomorrow's Request ?
Is she to kill a human ? How will she do that ? How can she do that ? To spill the blood of an innocent man ?
"Chidori will aid you as well..." Takaya added. That felt comforting, she said in her mind. A sarcastic chuckled escaped her lips. "I'm excited to begin" She fought the urge to clasp her hand to her mouth. Did she actually said that ? Her voice sounded like it was her happiness ... Did she find that funny ? amusing ? entertaining ?. Her thoughts were no longer hers for a moment. She listened for a whisper, a hum or murmur in her head. She heard none, her personas remained asleep. Where have the foreign thoughts come from ... surely those was not from hers.
3 minutes before Midnight. The other members of the SEES are waiting at the school gate. Go figure. Minato should have known that Tartorus was the school. In Yu's perspective it's pretty much obvious considering the size and the cover up excuse. Yukari kept chatting with Junpei, adding Yosuke in the picture the teens would eventually yell at each other from teasing.
"Sorry about your sister." Akihiko approached the blue haired teen. Who was standing away from the other group isolating himself by leaning at the wall. "... Don't be... I'm sure it's only a phase she's going through... best to hope she's not causing trouble ." Minato replied almost calmly. The air was cool enough for his mind to relax.
"I'm curious ... " Akihiko added. "From what your friends are describing... Minako. I don't think she's the type to run off like that." Minato nodded in silence. He was right, Minako never gave an outburst like that, If she did. It would be cause of lesser and simpler things like food or clothing.
"I'm trying to figure that one out... so far, I don't the slightest Idea ... Other than food." Akihiko chuckled, amused he was not expecting that word. Minato chuckled as well. Yu called them as Mitsuru approached on her vehicle. A motorcycle.
"whew... sweet ride senpai." Junpei commented. "Nice ... Nice as Hot Ice" Yosuke mused. Yukari rolled her eyes while Mitsuru's smiled coolly. "Be Ready now... It's almost time."
The Clock Strikes twelve, the world was again consumed by the eerie green light, The calm waters under the bridge of moonlight turned crimson in a raging storm. The people sunk into their slumber inside coffins. Moving blobs of black substance begun to crawl on the pavement, screeching their nails in the concrete streets. Blood continues to flow, through creaks and pipes of which drained waters once moved.
The tower emerges with the crumpling sound, the building where the white painted school stood no more. 3 towers stood before them. But only one caught their eyes. The Tower of Tartorus. Its name familiar to one mouth. "Nice name ... it fits it well" Minato commented. Mitsuru chuckled while the others looked at him, not getting the meaning of his statement. "You must heard about it Tartorus ? The Greek word meaning underworld ? Mythology Class Yosuke... Yu ?" He turned to Yosuke who shook his head, glancing at Yu he replied with a shrug.
Yukari seemed to have something in mind. "Hey ... I just remembered. That snow glob you bought when you got to the dorm. It looks like Tartorus. " she said.
Yosuke glanced at Yu who glanced at Minato. Minato glanced at both of them. Thinking the same thoughts. "We'll dwell on that later. Right now ... Mitsuru if you please." Minato dismissed. Mitsuru nodded and escorted them inside the Tower. As they were about to come in. A figure emerged from behind the gate. Minato glimpsed 2. Minato stopped to look behind him. The figures had gone. It was there a moment ago he must be imagining things. Yu called out his name. Hastily he entered.
Something was out of place when he entered the tower. He was elected leader, Junpei took the guts to complain, and was swatted by Akihiko. Yosuke somehow cheered the cap wearing junior. And off they went.
Mitsuru warned them of the danger and threat. She told them she could provide assistance. Once they were in. They were swallowed by a blinding light. He heard Yukari squeak at the light. Opening an eye focusing slowly. They found themselves inside Tartorus ground. The entrance which they entered was no longer there. A surge of panic over came Yukari and Junpei, until they heard Mitsuru's reassuring voice and urged them to move forward.
Tartorus was huge, they managed to clear one floor clean. Its insides contained mazes of sorts. Yosuke and Junpei chose poorly on making humour, none the less it was good to have a laugh while battling monsters that could take your life at any moment. The Shadows were different from what they fought before. A bit weak yes, but they managed to give them a deep bite and scratch marks to Yukari and Junpei. Also, to Minato's dismay, they managed to tear the wires on his MP3 player. He suggested to explore Tartorus more. Mitsuru and Akihiko approved.
An: Thank you All very much for your Reviews and Suggestions I'll try to make them squeeze into some scenes. Co written with Cheshire Cat.